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Israel has given cautious support to the proposed US-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza, while making it clear that the mission must not repeat the failures of past UN peacekeeping operations.
In an interview with The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, outlined Jerusalem’s conditions for backing the draft resolution currently being debated at the UN Security Council.
“The US draft resolution continues the spirit of the Trump plan, which Israel welcomed,” Danon said. “We want to see regional countries involved — especially those capable of dealing with Hamas’s disarmament. But we must ensure we don’t create another ineffective mechanism like UNIFIL.”
Danon was referring to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, often criticized for its inability to prevent Hezbollah’s rearmament despite its mandate. The ambassador said Israel’s primary focus remains the return of hostages and fallen soldiers, and the dismantling of Hamas’s military infrastructure.
Asked if Israel opposed a UN-style, Blue Helmet peacekeeping force, Danon was firm but diplomatic. “We have to learn from the mistakes of the past,” he said. “You want something constructive and effective, not an international presence that looks good on paper but destabilizes the situation.”
Danon noted that several countries remain hesitant to commit troops without a clear Security Council mandate, which could delay the ISF’s deployment even after the resolution passes. “It’s a process,” he said. “But Israel’s red line is effectiveness. We can’t afford a symbolic force that doesn’t act.”
Turning to governance in Gaza, Danon dismissed the notion that the Palestinian Authority (PA) could take an immediate role in managing the territory. “We’ve seen the weakness of the PA in Judea and Samaria,” he said. “Leaving politics aside, they simply lack the capacity. They can’t control large areas in the West Bank, so expecting them to govern Gaza is unrealistic right now.”
He acknowledged, however, that Washington’s plan envisions a future role for the PA after significant reforms and capacity-building. “That’s a long way off,” he added.
Danon stressed that for Israel, success will be measured by tangible security results rather than diplomatic symbolism. “Success means results on the ground — the disarmament of Hamas,” he said. “The ISF must have the authority and capability to neutralize tunnels and remove weapons. If Hamas survives militarily, it will be a failure of the entire mission.”
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members